Foot operated electric switch



4July 28, 1936. H. A. DOUGLAS 2,048,927

FOOT OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH Z HARRY A. DOUGLAS A44-Mx, l auml..

July 28; 1936. H. A. DOUGLAS 2,048,927

y FOOT OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 1e, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 ll HARRY A. Doz/ams Patented July 28, 1936 PATENT OFFICE Foo'r OPERATED ELECTRIC SWITCH Harry A. Douglas, Bronson, Mich.

Application January 18, 1934, Serial No. 707,132

27 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches and more particularly to switching mechanism including a reciprocable actuating means adapted to be foot operated to alternately continue and discontinue different circuits passing therethrough.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simplified and economical structure which will be positive in operation and which will withstand the rough usage to which a foot operated switch is subjected. It is a further object to provide an electric switch of this type which is of particular advantage for controlling the bright and tilt filaments of motor vehicle headlights.

The advantages of such a switching mechanisnr are obvious, when employed in connection with a main hand operated switch in the lighting system of an automobile, such as disclosed in this applicants prior copending application, Serial No. 696,445 filed November 2, 1933, in which the driver of the automotive vehicle having set his headlights in the bright position is able by a slight movement of his foot, upon approaching a car traveling in the opposite direction, to dim his bright lights without removing his hand from the steering wheel.

With these and other objects in view, reference is made to the accompanying sheets of drawings l which illustrate an embodiment of this invention,

with the understanding that detail changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a view in central vertical section, illustrating a preferred embodiment of this invention, showing one circuit closed.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure'3 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the position of the parts having opened one circuit and about to close the other.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section taken on the line 'I-l of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure'8 is a detail projected view in perspective of a circuit continuingl member and its support.

Figure 9 is a similar view of the actuator and its support.

This invention, as illustrated, includes a cylindrical metallic casing I mounting at one end a plunger cap 2, surrounding an elongated restricted portion 3 of the casing, and adapted torecip-' rocate thereover. The casing is closed at the other end by a contact carrier 4 of insulating material. It is preferable to increase the diameter if the open end receiving the contact carrier and fold the metal back on itself to form an annular flange 5 adapted to be engaged by a mounting plate 6, perforated to snugly receive the casing, and the body of the casing therebelow again increased in diameter to form a shoulder I to engage the underside of the plate 6 and secure the casing thereto. It is preferable to depress the body of the plate Ii about the casing receiving opening, as shown, so that the upper surface of the plate will lie flush with the upper surface of the flange 5 and also provide the casing receiving opening with a radial notch 8 into which the body 9 of the casing below the flange is forced to enter to retain the casing against rotation. 'I'he contact carrier 4 is preferably in the form of a disc snugly received within the open end of the casing I and held in engagement with the underside of the mounting plate holding shoulder 1 by a circular closure plate I0, of greater diameter than the outer diameter of the casing provided, with preferably three unequally spaced apart circumferential notches I I for receiving similarly disposed fingers I2 depending from the lower end ofthe casing, the ends of which are adapted to be bent inward to engage the outer surface of the plate I0 and secure the same to the casing below the mounting plate 6. The closure plate I 0 is preferably of insulating material.

The contact carrier disc mounts three electrical connectors with their centers in line, with the center of one in the axis of the casing I and the other two equidistant therefrom. The center connector is in the form of an elongated rectangular metallic bar I3 passing through a rectangular aperture provided thereforin the contact carrier 4 and the closure plate I0, extending approximately an equal distance on each side thereof with that portion entering the interior of the casing I of slightly greater width to form shoulders resting upon the inner surface of said carrier and projecting at right angles therefrom. The connector I3 is preferably held in place by a rectangular block of insulating material I4 in engagement with the exterior side of the closure plate I0 and the contiguous depending side of the connector, the lower ends of both connector and block being apertured to receive a metallic snap terminal electrical connector block, preferably of the type disclosed in this applicants prior copending application, Serial No. 565,127, filed September 25, 1931, including a rectangular portion I5 having a cylindrical projection I6 adapted to pass through the block I4 and bar I3 with the metal of the end I'I projecting therebeyond spun or riveted to engage the outer surface of the bar and not only hold the block in place but also make an electrical connection to said bar. The connectors i8 and I9, arranged equidistant from the axis of the casing, are preferably of the sameA type as above described having the rectangular portion passing through rectangular apertures provided therefor in the closure plate I0 and the cylindrical portion passing through cylindrical apertures in the contact carrier 4. The inner ends of connectors I8 and I9 pass through the bases 20 of similar right angular brackets having arms 2| extending parallel and equidistant from the bar I3 upon the interior of the casing, with the metal of the end I'I spun or riveted upon the interior surfaces of said bases to not only hold the brackets in place, but also to make an electrical connection therewith. As shown in Figures l and 4, the rectangular portion of the connector I9 is in engagement with the adjacent surface of the block |4 and positions the upper end thereof.

Means is provided for alternately continuing the circuit from the bar I3 to the contacts |'I cariied upon the. connectors I8 and IS which includes a current continuing member or bridge mounted for oscillation upon each bracket arm 2| and an actuator cooperating therewith. The current continuing members 22 are each elongated rectangular metallic plates having oppositely disposed integral ears 23 extending intermediate one side thereof and at right angles thereto and with one end 24 bent at right angles in the same direction and for the same distance as the ears 23. The current continuing members 22 are of the same width as the bracket arms 2|. Each ear 23 is provided with a rectangular slot with the end adjacent the body forming a reentrant angle with its apex in the center there.- of forming a knife-edge bearing 25. Each arm 2| is provided with oppositely disposed lateral projections 26 equidistant from the upper end thereof which projections are adapted to be embraced by the ears 23, being received within the slotted portion and adapted to bear against the knife-edge bearings 25, when assembled, with the right angle end portions 24 passing freely above the upper ends of the arms 2|. The members 22 may be oscillated about the bearings 25 and when moved in one direction the extremity of the portions 24 will engage the upper part of the connector I3 and when moved in the opposite direction, the opposite end of the member 22 will engage the arm 2| below the ears 23.

An actuator for oscillating the current continuing members 22 in unison to alternately cause the. portions 24 to contact the connector I3 and maintain the said contact until operated to oscillate in the opposite direction includes a plate 21 of insulating material preferably in the form of a circular disc of less diameter than the inner diameter of the casing I with oppositely disposed portions cut away equidistant from the center to form parallel sides 2B. The body of the actuator 21 is cut out to form a rectangular opening with its diametrical center concentric with the center of the disc and its longest sides 29 parallel to the ilat sides 28 of the actuator and sufficient distance apart to receive the circuit continuing members 22, which parallel sides are each provided with centrally disposed inwardly extending lugs 30. The sides of the connector bar I3 are provided with oppositely disposed cut out portions 3|, in line with the lateral projections 26 of the arms 2|, adapted to receive the lugs to support the actuator and allow oscillation of the actuator about said lugs. The bracket arms 2| are resilient and the sides 29 of the opening in the actuator are of such dimensions that when assembled, as shown in Figure 5, the body of the actuator engages the members 22 and through the knife-edge bearings 25 and projections 26 of the arms 2| place said arms under tension by forcing the. upper ends thereof toward each other when the actuator 1s 1n parallel relation to the contact carrier 4, as shown in Figure 5. It is therefore seen that upon rotative movement of the actuator the tension of the arms 2| immediately snaps theactuator off center, causing one end to move upward in sliding engagement with the adjacent member 22 rotating the same about the knife-edge 25 until the end of the portion 24 contacts the bar I3, and at the same time causing the other end of the actuator to move downward in sliding engagement with the other member 22 rotating it about its pivot 25 and concurrently causing the lower end of said member to engage the arm 2| therebelow. In this position, the engagement of the portion 24 with the bar I3 is maintained by the resistance of the resilient arms 2| to any movement of the actuator in the opposite direction. The actuator carries an operating bracket to cooperate with a reciprocable plunger as hereinafter described. The actuator operating bracket is preferably of metal and formed to provide a horizontal portion over the opening in the actuator plate and positioned thereover to clear the upper end of the bar I3, when assembled, by oppositely disposed integral depending sides 32 having reduced portions 33 adapted to be received in recesses 34 in the sides 28 of the actuator which portions are continued at each edge into fingers 35 adapted to be bent inwardly to engage the underside of the actuator plate 21 with the shoulders formed by the reduced portions in engagement with the upper side of said actuator, as shown in Figures 2, 6, 'l and 9. The

upper surface of the bracket above the axis of rotation of the actuator is depressed on each side thereof to form oppositely and downwardly extending angular surfaces 36 and 31 forming an obtuse angle with its apex parallel with the axis of rotation of the actuator and with the lower and exterior ends of said surfaces continued beyond the arms 32 and curved upwardly tangential to said surfaces to form stops 38 equidistant from the actuator.

The actuator is caused to oscillate by the reciprocation of a plunger 39 mounted to travel within the restricted portion 3 of the casing I, the upper end of which plu-nger is secured to the closure of the plunger cap 2. The portion of the plunger at all times contained within the restricted casing 3 is preferably rectangular and is provided with a reduced portion secured to the cap 2. The metal about the open end of the reduced casing 3 is turned inwardly to engage thefsh'oulders soformed and limit theupk per movement of f the plunger. The plunger is normally maintained in its extended position or at the upper limit of its travel by a coil spring 40 .surrounding the restricted casing 3 with one end in engagement; with the closure of the cap 2 and the other end in engagement. with theshoul# der .provided by reducing the. diameter of the casing vI :to form the -restricted casing 3. The plunger is preferably provided with anr axial bore 4| terminating adjacent the upper end thereof and with a transverse. slot forming spaced apart depending legs-42 in thel portion of greatest width. A 'depending operating finger 43 of insulating material is pivotally mounted adjacent its upper end within the slot by a pin 44 passing therethrough and through both of the legs 42. A spring pressed detent 45 is mounted within the slot above the top of the operator 43 having a guide pin 46 and spring 41 received within the bore 4I and normally maintains the operator 43 in axial alignment with the axis of the casing I. The nose of the operator 43 is normally held by the plunger cap spring 40 in axial alignment above the upper surface of the actuator operating bracket and, as shown in Figure 1, above one of the sloping surfaces 36 or 3l thereof. Upon depression of the plunger cap the operator 43 engages the adjacent sloping surface, slides thereover'as yit is rotated about its pivot 44 until it engages a stop 38, as shown in Figure 5, placingthe arms 2l under greater tension until the actuator plate 2l is carried off center in the opposite direction to establish and maintain a circuit from the bar I3 through one current continuing member 22. Upon release of the plunger cap 2 the spring 40 returns the plunger 39 and operator 43 tothe normal position, so that upon a further reciprocation the actuator 21 is oscillated in the opposite direction to discontinue the circuit f just described and establish a circuit through the other current continuing member 22.

What I claim is: f f

1. An electric switching mechanism including a contact carrier, an electrical connector mounted on said carrier, and oppositely disposed electrical connectors mounted on said carrier equidistant from said first connector, current continuing members mounted for oscillation upon each of the last named connectors, an actuator mounted to'oscillate upon the first named yconnector, means provided upon the'actuator to oscillate the current continuing members in uni-y son upon oscillation of the actuator to engage one and disengage the otherofthe current continuing members alternately withthe first mentioned connector, and operating means to oscillate the actuator. I A I 2. 'I'he structure of claim 1 wherein the' actuator includes an operating bracket mounted thereon over the'lconnectors and current continuing members cooperating with the operating means. f Y

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said operating means'.A includes a reciprocating plunger and wherein the actuator includes an operating bracket mounted thereon over the connectors and current continuing members cooperating with each reciprocation rof lthe plunger to oscillate the actuator.

.4. The structure of claim `1 lwherein ysaid operating meansfincludes a plunger mounted for reciprocation in line with the first named connector and having a depending operating ilnger pivotally. carried therein and wherein the ac-v tuator includes an operating bracket provided with oppositelyy disposed stops tobe engaged by the -pivoted operator upon reciprocationof the plunger tooscillate the actuator.v

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the contact carrier is of insulating material andA oppositely disposed connectors are provided with right. angular bases resting upon the interior surfacey of the contact carrier and are secured thereto by electrical connectors passing from the. outer side of the carrier through .the carrier of the base. ff f x6.. The .structure of claim yl-wherein .the contact carrier is of insulating material and the first named connector is in the form of a flat shouldered metallic bar passing through the carrier with the shoulders engaging the inner side thereof and the portions on the other side secured by a block of insulating vmaterial in engagementwith that side of the carrier and the contiguous surface of the bar with the block secured to the barby an electrical connector passing through the block and bar; e 7. The structure of claim l wherein the contact carrier is of insulating material and oppositely disposed connectors are provided with right angular bases resting upon the interior surface of the contact carrier and are secured thereto by electrical connectors passing from the outer side of the carrier through the carrier and base, and wherein the first namcdconnector is in the form of a flat shouldered metallic bar passing through the carrier with the shoulders engaging the inner-side thereof and the portion on the other side securedby a block of insulating material in engagement with that side of the carrier and the contiguous surface of the bar with the blockfsecurcd to the'bar by an electrical connector passimT through the block and bar 'at the lower ends thereof with the upper end of the block positioned by the exterior of a connector secured to one of the oppositely disposed connectors.

8. An electric switching mechanism including a contact carrier, an electrical connector mounted on said carrier and oppositely disposed resilient electrical connectors equidistant from the first connector. mounted on said carrier, current continuing members mounted for oscillation upon each of the last named connectors, an actuator mounted to oscillate upon the rst connector, means provided upon the actuator to oscillate the current conducting members in unison upon oscillation of the actuator to alternately engage and disengage the current conducting membersv with the first connector and place the resilient connectors under tension maintaining the electric contact established at each end of oscillatic-n of the actuator, and operating means to oscillate the actuator.

9. An electric switching mechanism including acontactr carrier, a rigid electricalconnector mounted on said carrier and oppositely'disposed resilient electrical connectors equidistantk from the first carrier, current continuing members mounted for oscillation upon each of the last mentioned connectors,` an actuatorfmounted to oscillate upon the first connector having its vaxis of oscillation in line with the axes of oscillation of the current conducting members, means provided upon the opposite en'ds of the actuator to oscillate'. the current. continuing members in uni# son upon oscillation of the actuator to alternately engage and disengage the current continuing membcrswith the rst connector and'plac'ethe resilient connectors under tension maintaining the electric contact established at each end of oscillation of the actuator when the actuator is moved oir center, and operating means to oscillate the actuator.

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein the current continuing members include metallic plates provided with bearing members engaging the outer sides of the resilient connectors and angular end portions passing over the upper extremities of said connectors.

11. The structure of claim 9 wherein the current continuing members include metallic plates provided with bearing members engaging the outer sides of the resilient connectors cooperating with means upon said connectors preventing longitudinal movement thereof and provided with angular end portions passing over the upper extremities of said connectors to contact the rigid connector and limit the movement about the pivoted point in that direction.

12. The structure of claim 9 wherein the actuator includes a plate of insulating material embracing the connectors and having sliding engagement with the current continuing members.

13. The structure of claim 9 wherein the actuator includes a plate of insulating material cut out to embrace the connectors and current continuing members and having sliding engagement therewith.

14. The structure of claim 9 wherein the actuator includes a plate of insulating material cut out to embrace the connectors and have a sliding engagement with the current continuing members provided with bearing members upon the inner Walls engaging the rigid connector.

l5. In a foot operated electric switch, a cylindrical casing having an elongated reduced portion at one end with a spring pressed plunger cap mounted thereon and adapted to be reciprocated over said casing, a contact carrier closing the other end, a rigid metallic connector mounted axially of the carrier extending within the casing, resilient connectors mounted upon the carrier extending within the casing equidistant from opposite sides of the rigid connector and normally parallel therewith, current continuing members mounted for oscillation about the outer faces of the resilient connectors, an actuator of insulating material surrounding said connectors and current continuing members mounted for oscillation about the rigid connector with its axis of oscillation in the same plane as the axes of oscillation of the current continuing members having sliding engagement with said members and when parallel with the contact carrier placing the resilient connectors under tension, a reciprocable plunger secured to the cap closure guided within the restricted casing for axial movement, a pivotally mounted operator depending normally in axial alignment from the plunger, and means upon the actuator above the connectors cooperating with the operator to oscillate the actuator upon depression of the plunger to bring one current continuing member in contact with the rigid connector and the other in additional engagement with its supporting resilient connector and place both resilient connectors under tension.

16. The structure of claim 15 wherein the current continuing members are iiat metallic plates having inturned upper ends with the fiat portions positioned parallel to each other when the actuator is parallel to the contact carrier and positioned with one inturned end of one in contact with the rigid connector and the lower extremity of the other in engagement with its supporting connector when the actuator is at the ends of its oscillations.

17. The structure of claim 15 wherein the current continuing members are ilat metallic plates having inturned upper ends with the fiat portions positioned parallel to each other when the actuator is parallel to the contact carrier and positioned with one inturned end of one in contact with the rigid connector and the lower extremity of the other in engagement with its supporting connector when the actuator is at the ends of its oscillations, the tension of the resilient connectors acting through the current continuing members whenever the actuator is moved oi center therewith by the operator to snap the actuator to the end of its oscillations.

18. The structure of claim 15 wherein the said cooperating means upon the actuator includes an extension thereabove having oppositely disposed sloping surfaces terminating in stops to be alternately engaged by the operator upon continued reciprocation of the plunger.

19. An electric switch, comprising: a first oscillating switch member; a second oscillating switch member; a single cooperating terminal means; and actuator means, connected to said switch members to move said members simultaneously, one of them in a direction into contact with said terminal means and the other one in a direction out of contact with said terminal means.

20. An electric switch, comprising: a casing; a mounting plate for said switch, provided with an aperture through which said casing extends; said casing being provided on both sides of said mounting plate, with ilanges overlying said mounting plate to connect said mounting plate to said casing and means for locking said casing and mounting plate against relative rotation.

21. An electric switch, comprising: an insulating base; a terminal, projecting through an aperture in said base and provided with a shoulder engaging the inner face of rsaid base; and an insulating member secured to said terminal exteriorly of said base and abutting said base to hold said terminal against movement inwardly of said base.

22. An electric switch, comprising: a first oscillating switch member having different limiting positions; a second oscillating switch member having different limiting positions; actuator means, connected to said switch members to move said members; and means whereby said actuator means cooperates with said switch members to bias one oi said switch members to one of its limiting positions while biasing the other of said switch members to a diierent one of its limiting positions.

23. An electric switch, comprising: a first oscillating switch member; a second oscillating switch member; said switch members being mounted for movement about parallel axes; and actuator means, connected to said switch members to move said members about said axes in the same direction with said actuator means moving in a predetermined direction.

24. An electric switch, comprising: a base: switch actuating mechanism unitary with said base; a casing for said switch actuating mechanism; operating mechanism, unitary with said casing, positioned for operating said actuating mechanism when said casing is assembled with said base; and means whereby said casing and said base may be assembled in only one relative rotative position.

25. An electric switch, comprising: an insulating base; a pair of terminals mounted on and projecting from said base; an insulating member ttng between said terminals; and means for securing said insulating member to said one of said terminals.

26. An electric switch, comprising: a casing, having a portion providing an aperture; a mounting plate for said switch, provided with an aperture through which said portion of said casing extends; e base, closing said casing aperture and said casing being provided with means constructed and arranged to embrace opposite surfaces of said mounting plate, and to embrace opposite surfaces of said base.

27. An electric switch, comprising: a terminal having a plane portion provided with lugs extending laterally in opposite directions from opposite margins of said portion, said portion and said lugs being integrally formed from sheet metal l0 stock; and a switch member pivoted on said lugs.

HARRY A. DOUGLAS. 

